Top 10: Extreme Cold Expeditions

Number 5

Soviet invasion of Finland

1939

When Finnish-Soviet tensions escalated just after to the outbreak of World War II, the Soviets attacked. Although the Russians ultimately forced Finland to cede a portion of land and a fifth of Finland’s industrial capacity to them, the Red Army paid dearly with men, materials and their reputation.

Freezing point: The Battle of Suomussalmi that lasted from December 1939 to January 1940. Taking a page from the Russian’s own playbook, the Finns destroyed the village of Suomussalmi before the invaders could claim it; effectively eliminating any potential shelter for the Red Army. Bogged down by snow and with their heavy equipment ravaged by cold, the Soviets were demoralized by Finns who were using guerrilla tactics and a form of encirclement called “Motti” to target field kitchens and soldiers who warmed themselves by fires. Vastly outnumbered, the Finns forced a Soviet retreat over the frozen lakes of Niskanselka and Haukipera.

Number 4

Roald Amundsen goes to the South Pole

1911

Roald’s original expedition was intended as a bid to reach the North Pole, but Amundsen changed plans without telling his crew, putting himself in a race to the South Pole against Brit, Robert Scott. Amundsen’s superior planning, along with his use of dogs and skis allowed him to not only reach the Pole first, but return safely. The “use” of dogs included slaughtering a number of them en route to the Pole, caching enough meat for both the men and remaining dogs for their return, and limiting the weight of dog food they needed to carry for the 99-day overland journey. Scott, apparently a picky eater, died during his expedition.

Freezing point: After landing in the Bay of Whales, Amundsen’s first attempt to find the Pole almost ended in disaster. Setting out after the temperature went up in September, his team turned back only days later when temperatures fell to minus 76°F. Afterwards, one of Amundsen’s crew openly called his leadership into question and was cut from the Pole team, then sent to explore another portion of Antarctica.

Amundsen made the Pole in December 1911, with five men and his 16 remaining dogs, leaving a tent and a letter there as proof, in case he didn’t survive the return to his base camp at Framheim.

Number 3

Willie Heinrich dives under Antarctic ice

1902

Even today’s Polar Bear Club members face dangers from extreme temperatures and angry leopard seals. So when Heinrich, then employed as a ship’s carpenter, made his dives during the Deutsche Sudpolar-Expedition, he did so to repair the ship wearing only a Seibe Diving Helmet and a canvas suit. His under-ice observations were of little scientific use, but he improved his equipment — no doubt out of self-preservation — and allegedly built an “ice bicycle” for the crew’s amusement.

Freezing point: Being the go-to-guy for underwater repairs couldn’t have been great fun, but Heinrich made numerous dives, at least once during the Austral winter to free the ship’s anchor, when the surface temperature alone was roughly minus 22°F.